By Staff
CANTONMENT - After a long, courageous battle with cancer, Francine S. Rabon died peacefully surrounded by her family on Oct. 13, 2008. She was born in Megargel on Oct. 23, 1934.
She retired from the Escambia County Health Department in 1995. After retirement, Francine enjoyed traveling with friends and was actively in Red Hats, art classes and Bookmarks Book Club. She loved and enjoyed the friendships and strength she received from her Sunday school group, the Grace Class of Olive Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband, John A. Rabon; parents, M.H. “Cap” and Bessie Skipper; sisters, Mildred Griffin and Doris Holladay and brother, George Skipper.
Mrs. Rabon is survived by her daughters, Susan Lomax (Bret) and Lisa Eddins (Bill) both of Pace, Fla.; grandchildren, Shannon Huilker (Mile) of Ft. Walton Beach, Fla., Ryan Troutman (Ashley) of Pace, Fla., Alisha Wiebe (Jack) of Alberta, Canada and Daniel Faircloth (Sharon) of Walnut Hill, Fla.; great-grandson, Gus Huilker of Ft. Walton Beach, Fla.; sisters, Eleanor Grace (Carmon) of Pensacola, Fla. and Glenna Granzella (John) of Costa Mesa, Cal. and many nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Thomas Tan and his staff, Covenant Hospice and the caring staff of the Joyce Goldenberg Covenant Hospice Residence. We would also like to thank her many friends for their prayers and support throughout her illness.
Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2008 at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North with Pastor Doug Holmes officiating. Interment will follow at Walnut Hill Baptist Church Cemetery. The family received friends at the funeral home from 5 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2008.
Pallbearers were Ryan Troutman, Daniel Faircloth, Mike Huilker, Jack Wiebe, Jim Grace and Rick Steele.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 Hwy. 29 South, Cantonment is in charge of arrangements.
Donations may be made to Covenant Hospice, 5907 Berryhill Road, Milton, Florida, 32570.